Rich Piana’s Coma Update Given By Girlfriend Chanel Jansen

Champion bodybuilder Rich Piana is “OK.” His girlfriend, fitness model Chanel Jansen, took to Instagram Thursday to give an update on the social media sensation, who was placed in a medically induced coma Aug. 7 after the 46-year-old passed out and hit his head in the bathroom of his Florida home.

Jansen shared a black-and-white picture that showed her clasping Piana’s hand. “The world wide outpouring to send Rich voicemails and messages to have played or read to him is overwhelming!” Jansen wrote, referencing a previous post where she asked fans to call to leave Piana positive vibes.

“We can't thank you all enough for your continued support during this time. To those who have been so respectful and come to his defense when others have been disgusting excuses for human beings -THANK YOU!” she said.

As for Piana’s condition, she didn’t mention if he was out of his coma. In fact, she didn’t provide too much detail at all. She was clear that Piana was still alive and fighting for his life, which was seemingly a jab at the death rumors that initially swirled the Friday after he was admitted to the hospital.

“The only update I'm permitted to give at this time is that he is alive, he is OK, and the excellent medical professionals here as well as myself and his close loved ones are doing all we can to get him back to a full recovery,” Jansen wrote. “Please continue to remain patient and respectful. This is a very stressful time for Rich and everyone around him so please understand if we're quiet. It's with good reason.”

Jansen was giving him a haircut at the time, but was unable to brace to his fall. First responders were unable to revive him and rushed him to the hospital. They administered two doses of Narcan, which is typically used to revive patients who overdosed on opiates, but it didn’t work for Piana.

Jansen spoke to TMZ, telling them she knew Piana had a history of opiate use, but thought he was clean. First responders discovered a straw, white residue and credit card in Piana’s home.

The bodybuilder is best known for his large size, and it was never a secret that he used steroids. Piana had been juicing for 20 years and argued it was necessary for men who wanted to compete it bodybuilding — though it didn’t come without risks.

“If you have the choice to stay natural or do steroids, stay natural. There’s no reason to do steroids, you’re only hurting your body, you’re hurting yourself,” he said in an April 2016 YouTube video. “If you want to become a professional bodybuilder, guess what – you’re probably going to have to f---in’ do 'em. You’re not going to have a choice.”

Jansen was the only person from Piana’s camp to speak out. She issued her first statement Aug. 11. “I will not be posting any updates after this until further notice. I just want to be clear [Piana] is STILL ALIVE,” she wrote. “All myself and his family are asking for is POSITIVE thoughts, prayers, and love. PLEASE I’m BEGGING you all to have some respect and realize how EXTREMELY difficult this is for us. Thank you to all of you staying positive and sending well wishes, prayers, and love. We appreciate it more than you will ever know.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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